The draw for the women’s soccer tournament at the 2024 Olympics is complete.
The U.S. women’s national team will face Germany, Australia, and either Zambia or Morocco in Group B.
Elsewhere, defending Olympic champions Canada were placed in Group A with hosts France, while defending World Cup champions Spain will once again meet Japan (the only team to beat La Roja last summer).
The U.S. were placed in Pot 1 for the draw, alongside France and Spain. The sorting of the pots meant that the USWNT was obliged to face Germany in the group stage due to rules preventing two teams from the same confederation from being placed in the same group.
From Pot 2, Canada could not be paired with the U.S., while Germany could not be placed in a group with UEFA rivals France or Spain.
The USWNT will be looking to reestablish itself as a truly elite team after two rocky showings in major tournaments. The U.S. was unconvincing in winning bronze at the 2020 Olympics, while a round-of-16 exit at last summer’s World Cup was the earliest exit from that tournament in program history.
The USWNT will start its quest for a fifth Olympic gold medal against the African qualifier on July 25 at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. The U.S. will head to Marseille for its second match, facing Germany at the Stade Vélodrome on July 28. The final USWNT group-stage clash will also be at the Stade Vélodrome, with Australia the opponent on July 31.
The Confederation of African Football’s final round of Olympic qualifying will see Zambia and Morocco play a two-legged tie in the first week of April. The winner will claim the final place in Group B. Nigeria and South Africa will square off for the other CAF place in France.
The tournament will see 12 teams sorted into three groups of four, with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the quarterfinal stage. The top two third-placed teams in the group stage will complete the field for the knockout round.
Unlike the men’s tournament, which functions as an under-23 event with a handful of overage players, the women’s Olympic soccer tournament has no age restrictions.
2024 Olympic women’s soccer draw
Group A
- France
- Colombia
- Canada
- New Zealand
Group B
- USA
- Zambia or Morocco
- Germany
- Australia
Group C
- Spain
- Japan
- Nigeria or South Africa
- Brazil
[lawrence-related id=55197,55168,55127]